Scottish athletes fly out to India for Commonwealth Games

THE Scotland team flew out of Glasgow today after fears over the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi finally began to be calmed.

With several high-profile athletes deciding not to take part in India because of a combination of health, safety and security fears the 19th Commonwealth Games had looked in serious doubt.

But despite the poor condition of the athletes village and the collapse of a pedestrian bridge and partial collapse of a ceiling in the weightlifting arena, all of the home nations will be in India.

With England already having sent athletes out yesterday and Wales and Northern Ireland also having confirmed their participation, Team Scotland's 192 athletes today began to travel with an Emirates flight out of Glasgow.

The remainder of the Team Scotland athletes will travel out over the coming days ahead of the Games which run from October 3-14.

As the first Scottish athletes departed today among those at the airport was the Minister for Public Health and Sport Shona Robison, who said: "The Scottish Government and its Games partners have worked hard to ensure that Team Scotland can participate in a safe and successful Commonwealth Games and I am very pleased to see our athletes boarding flights and setting off for Delhi.

"We are continuing to review the progress made on the ground and I have once again spoken to the Indian Sports Minister to stress the importance that the assurances given by the Indian Government translate into action in order that the Village is ready to receive the athletes due to stay there.

"I would like to take this opportunity to once again commend our team who have dealt extremely well in what has been very challenging circumstances.

"These challenges however should not distract from the efforts of the athletes who have devoted years to training in a bid to pull on the national jersey and represent their country on the international stage.

"I look forward to offering my support to the team in Delhi and I am sure all of Scotland will join me in wishing everyone the very best of luck in their quest for Commonwealth glory."